Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

"Gojo Satoru has taken revenge on Miguel Oduo! Gojo has destroyed more than half of the Congo jungle; it was a war zone…"

The report echoed as it was tossed around in the dimly lit chamber. Shadows flickered against the walls, and voices—old, tired, yet sharp—rose one after another.

"Has Gojo become blinded by his strength??"

"No, that's impossible! If he truly became blinded by power, then it's already all over for us!"

Another voice argued, "No! Gojo is clever, far too clever. He wouldn't do something this reckless simply for revenge."

"You're right. Think about it—if Gojo wanted revenge, he could've just killed Miguel outright. Why destroy a large section of the country he lives in?"

A low murmur ran through the room until another elder spoke coldly: "Well… let's consider this. Miguel fought alongside Suguru Geto. And we all know Geto's curses devastated Japan's cities. Couldn't this be Gojo repaying the favor? A ruined homeland for a ruined homeland."

The room fell silent.

Finally, another voice broke through: "…No. I don't believe it. I know Gojo. He isn't the type to waste time with revenge. He wouldn't even care about someone like Miguel…"

Silence held firm for a long moment before another matter was raised.

"We still don't know where Suguru Geto's body has gone. It was en route to autopsy, but it disappeared. No new reports. Should we tell Gojo?"

The chamber erupted instantly—dozens of voices overlapping, panicked.

"No! If he learns this, he'll rip the earth apart searching!"

"Not yet! Keep it buried until we're certain!"

The cacophony of dissent faded only when another voice entered, calm but urgent, from the doorway:

"We've just received a new report… Ren Sato has returned to Jujutsu High."

The room went quiet.

Meanwhile, inside the infirmary of Jujutsu High, Shoko Ieiri stood frozen, staring at Ren sprawled unconscious on the operating table.

His body writhed unnaturally, new wounds splitting open across his skin every passing second, only for her reverse cursed technique to forcefully close them again.

Shoko's brows furrowed as she worked. What the hell is this? I've never seen anything like it. Some kind of anti-reverse technique? His body just… keeps tearing itself apart. Troublesome idiot—if I didn't know the reverse cursed technique, he'd already be dead. How does he keep ending up like this?

Her hands glowed as she continued treatment, her irritation the only thing keeping her calm.

Half an hour later, Shoko finally pushed open the door, peeling her mask down and exhaling a long, tired breath.

Gojo leaned casually against the wall outside, waiting. His voice was uncharacteristically serious. "How was it?"

Across from him, Mei Mei sat perched on a chair, her posture sharp, her ears keenly tuned.

Shoko sighed, rubbing her eyebrows. "Never seen anything like it. He's such a weirdo. Honestly, how does he get injuries like that? Did he experiment with some bizarre cursed technique or fight something we don't know about? Who knows? But… his body's stable for now."

Gojo chuckled, his trademark grin flashing. "Oh my god, even you're annoyed? Hahaha! I don't remember the last time you were this frustrated, Shoko!"

Shoko only shook her head.

But Mei Mei was already standing, her eyes sharp. "What? He's stable, right? Is he awake? Nothing crazy happening, right, Shoko?"

Gojo raised a brow, but Shoko answered first. "He's wide awake. Actually… he was getting a 'feel' for my reverse cursed technique. Said he didn't want to miss it this time."

Before anyone could add more, Mei Mei pushed past them, heels clicking against the floor as she strode into the room without hesitation.

The door swung shut behind her, leaving Gojo and Shoko in the hallway.

Gojo made a face, annoyed. "Ugh. A woman in her 30s acting like a high school girl for an actual high schooler…"

Shoko smirked faintly. "The age of consent in this country is sixteen, you know? Besides, at least she's found someone she actually likes and that someone actually likes her back. What about you, hmm? Still single?"

Gojo flinched theatrically, clutching his chest like he'd been stabbed. "Rude."

But Shoko just walked away, smiling faintly, leaving him leaning against the wall, his grin faltering for once.